The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has released its preliminary findings in the shooting death of a Calloway County deputy in Marshall County in mid-May.
State police said its initial investigation indicates that just after 1:00 on Monday afternoon, May 16, the Marshall County Special Response Team arrested 30-year-old Gary Rowland, of Murray, in Benton for outstanding arrest warrants. The warrants issued were for charges including absconding from parole and other drug and firearm-related crimes.
Rowland was transported to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office after the arrest. While there, Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy Donald Bowman and Calloway County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jody Cash interviewed Rowland for an investigation unrelated to the arrest warrants, as both deputies served as part of a DEA Task Force.
During the interview, Rowland requested to smoke a cigarette. Both Bowman and Cash escorted the suspect outside in front of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, state police said. While smoking, police said Rowland produced a handgun, which had been concealed on his person, firing it in the direction of and striking Cash.
Bowman and Marshall County Sheriff Deputy Brandon Little returned fire, striking and killing Rowland.
Marshall County EMS transported Cash and Rowland to Marshall County Hospital, where both were pronounced deceased.
Cash was a 22-year law enforcement veteran and had served with the Calloway County Sheriff’s Office since 2020. During his career, he served eight years with Kentucky State Police, retiring in 2018 at the rank of sergeant. Cash additionally worked for six years at the Murray State University Police Department, achieving the rank of assistant chief, and six years at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
